Free Forest School Training in the Better Start Bradford area
31st January 2020
The Forest School Play Project wants to increase the number of trained forest school practitioners in the Better Start Bradford area ( Bradford Moor, Bowling and Barkerend and Little Horton) so is offering parents and Early Years workers who live or work in the area the opportunity to develop their skills for working outdoors with children through accredited forest school training. Eligible adults can apply for a free place on a Level 1 or Level 3 forest school skills course this year, funded by Better Start Bradford.
The level 1 course for those who would like an introduction for forest schools, and level 3 course for those with some experience of working outside with children, who are ready to become forest school practitioners. Dates, further information and an application form can be found downloaded from Get Out More’s website
Better Start Bradford helps young children in Bradford Moor, Bowling and Barkerend and Little Horton area of Bradford get the best start in life. The Forest School Play Project is one of over 20 projects the programme provides, run by Bradford Forest School Network member Get Out More CIC.
2020 Programme Now Booking
6th January 2020
Visit our events page to see the 2020 programme filling up with exciting events for all.
- Be inspired with new ideas this winter at one of our new Skills Share sessions on Winter Willow and Fireside Crafts
- Be social at one of the get togethers in the pub or round the campfire to celebrate some important anniversaries
- Be there or be square at Forest Fest 2020- the date and venue now confirmed
- Be on the look out for the CPD training dates; Knife Work now taking bookings, Setting up a Forest School and Foraging and Cooking dates announced soon
Outdoor Learning Practitioner sought
23rd December 2019
New year, new start? Job opportunity for Outdoor Learning and Food Growing Practitioner with Bradford Forest School Network member, Grow to School. For the full job description and person specification, click here. Deadline for applications is 14 February
outdoor learning practitioner
December Events for your diary
4th December 2019
If you need to brush up skills in managing woodland, have an idea for training you’d like to do, or just need to spend some time with like-minded woodland people, take a look over at our Events page for new dates for the diary.
If you’d like to know more about how to recognise tree diseases, how to spot hazardous trees and what to do to benefit the wildlife in the wood where you work, the Woodland Management CPD is sure to be the best half day learning you’ll do this year, gleaning practical skills and woodland knowledge from Bradford Council Woodland Team’s Andrew Cutts before he leaves us for pastures (or woodlands?) new in 2020.
The December BFSN meeting is a chance for all members, including Associate and Full members, to get together and reflect on how the year has gone and ideas for 2020, over a friendly drink. Also, if you don’t know what a Secret Krampus is, you need to check out the events page, or better still, come along!
Getting Babies Outdoors More
29th October 2019
As part of Bradford Baby Week 2019, Bradford Forest School Network members, Get Out More, have joined up with the Better Place team from Better Start Bradford to offer an interactive workshop, exploring how professionals can support expectant parents and families with babies to spend more time outside. The workshop will include an outside practical session with forest schools practitioners, Annie and Sam, and lunch and an opportunity for networking at the end.
The free event takes place on 5 November at Bowling Park Cafe and in Bowling Park, 10am – 1pm
You can book your place here
Autumn events are open for booking
16th July 2019
The autumn programme of events of Bradford Forest School Network is taking shape and open for bookings.
Forest Fest is our annual celebration of all things forest school and a chance for everyone to get together for learning, sharing, playing and merry-making! This year Forest Fest will take place at a new venue, Low Wood Scout Camp near Keighley. There is a great programme of activities already lined up, plus the offer of an award winning local curry around the campfire in the evening. Visit our Events page for more information and to book – but look lively as the Early Bird discounts run out at the end of the month
Skills Shares are our regular meet-ups to help practitioners at whatever level of their journey to learn and share ideas and skills. It keeps your practice fresh and you are sure to come away with an idea or two that you will be using right away. The next one will be at Lower Fields Primary Academy in Bradford on 24 Sept. If you are running forest schools in a school setting, or would like to, this is a great opportunity to see how a school which has been running forest schools for a while, is set up.
Skill Shares are now free if you are a Full (i.e. paying) member of BFSN and just £5 to Associates and non-members. Bargain. Click here for more information
Check out the new training programme!
6th March 2019
The range of courses and skills share sessions on offer from the network is bigger than better than ever, with some exciting new courses coming up to suit outdoor practitioners at all stages of their professional development. From Setting Up Your Forest School (14 June) to Behaviour that Challenges (3 May) and Managing Woodlands (Autumn term), there really is something for everyone. There are also a couple of exciting Skills Share sessions on weapons (29 March) and knife work (autumn term) where you can pick up great ideas to use straight away with your class or group.
Fans of Forest Fest, the weekend festival that’s all about forest school, need to put 29-30 June in their diaries as this popular event returns to a new venue, the new Low Wood Scout camp near Keighley.
Details of all the events are on the poster below and on our Events page, where you will find direct links to the booking site. There are very generous discounts for Full members, so why not join up and start saving money on your professional development today?
BFSN 2019 skills share and training programme is growing
28th January 2019
Check out the Events page for the latest Skills Shares and CPD events from the Bradford Forest School Network.
February sees a Mid-winter Microadventure at Blackhills with games in the dark, campfire discussions and the option to sleep overnight.
The March Skill Share is all about weapons, an interesting aspect of forest school play that is ripe for play and learning opportunities
In May, trainers Helen Rook and Lizzie Lee will be running a full day course on dealing with challenging behaviour, a must for anyone who works with children and young people.
In June, you are invited to learn more about ‘Setting Up Your Forest School’. This day is ideal for schools or groups who are thinking of starting forest schools or are underway developing plans. The day will cover practicalities like risk assessments and site design as well as lots of practical ideas to help inspire.
All the events can be found on our events page
Tree Planters wanted at St Ives
12th December 2018
A major tree planting initiative will start at St Ives estate near Bingley this winter, to replace the many which were removed due to disease last year. Bradford Council is inviting groups to help plant trees in January and February. St Ives is a popular site for forest schools, trips and family outings, and its hoped that groups who enjoy using the woods will get involved to restore the woodland to its former glory – or even better as the new trees will be native species indigenous to the area.
Anyone wanting to take part in the tree planting, please contact Bradford Council woodlands team at woodlands@bradford.gov.uk with your name, contact details, and confirming that you are over 16 years of age. Children will be very welcome to help with the planting but must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
You can read more about the tree planting initiative here.
Biosecurity – our responsibilities
5th December 2018
Over a year ago, a total of 8.5 hectares of larch had to be clear felled at St Ives Estate due to a Statutory Plant Health Notice served on Bradford Council by DEFRA, having discovered Phytophthora ramorum on site. The good news is the council is planning to replant in early 2019 – and will be looking for community help with the planting – watch this space.
As forest school practitioners, woodland visitors, Friends groups etc, Bradford Council’s Woodlands team remind us we can all play a role in protecting trees (planted and naturally occurring) from pests and diseases. Please take a look at the range of information relating to biosecurity on the Forestry Commission website
